Perception

February 16

Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of perception. Niccolo Machiavelli

How true it is that we overlook much because we simply do not, cannot perceive the reality of what it is that we are viewing. Perhaps our problem originates in the fact that we see with our natural eyes but life is bound to the spiritual realm where our vision is obscure. It isn't that we don't want to see or try to see. It's that our natural eyes are incapable of discerning the spiritual realm where absolute truth dwells.

We long to see Jesus face-to-face, for in seeing Him, we know we will see reality, but often our natural vision is clouded and therefore incapable of perceiving the realm of the spirit where Jesus is most evident...the Word tells us that "God is a Spirit and they who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth," John 4:4.

So we continue with our opaque view of life, with our ability to discern clouded by the vagaries of what men say and do as opposed to what they really think a feel. We pursue our goals, knowing they are indefinite at best because we see them so indistinctly. We cannot define our progress because we can't clearly grasp where we are in relationship to where we want to be. At best we are confused. At worst, we are totally lost. But, Jesus is neither confused nor lost.

In the midst of the consternation that is generated through our frustration we see a glimmer of light that reminds us that the One who is light has promised to be "...a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," Psalm 119:105. We realize that Jesus knows the way we take (Job 23:10) and He has promised that when the trial we face is over, we shall, “…come forth as gold.”

This comes with a prayer that you will be able to see with the clarity of vision that comes with reality rather than from mere appearances; that you will have the gift of true sight that includes perception. When you see as HE sees, feel as HE feels, love as HE loves, you will understand the present and recognize the next step you must take toward the future. I pray with all my heart that Jesus gives you the clarity of vision to discern the path you are to take. In discerning the path you will clearly perceive the One who is “the way, the truth, the life,” John 14:6.